Christopher Ward x Byrd - Bel Canto Byrd Edition (limited 100) (SOLD)

Christopher Ward – C1 Bel Canto “Wyrd” Edition

The C1 Bel Canto marks a milestone in modern Microbrand Indy: a chiming complication brought into reach of the discerning collector, wrapped in a titanium case, and delivered with surprising purity and intention. For the first time in the brand’s history, Christopher Ward took something traditionally reserved for haute horlogerie and re-imagined it for today’s enthusiast: a watch that sounds as well as it looks, all of it as a very competitive value proposition.

The choice of grade 5 titanium is not simply aesthetic—it’s functional, resonant, deliberate. Its lightness underscores wearability; its acoustic properties amplify the chime.

Some Technical details

Case : 41 mm diameter, Grade 5 titanium; lug-to-lug ~48 mm, height ~13 mm.
Movement : Sellita SW200-1 base, to which Christopher Ward adds its FS01 chiming module: 60 + added components, hammer/gong assembly, bird-shaped hammer imagery.
Functions : Timekeeping (hours/minutes/seconds), hourly automatic strike (sonnerie au passage style), on-off pusher at 4 o’clock.
The Time Bum+1
Dial / Aesthetics : Skeletonized movement portions at 12 o’clock; the ringed gong visible under the flange; titanium surfaces brushed with polished chamfers.
Weight: Approx. 53 grams — extremely lightweight for a full complication.

Why It Matters

In a world where chiming watches often cost six-figures, the Bel Canto upends expectations. It re-connects the collectible crown complication with accessible ownership. As one review put it: “there isn’t a contemporary watchmaker … that has managed such a technological feat for the price.”

The use of titanium is both a material choice and a thematic one: it reflects the modern, aerodynamic mindset of today’s watch collector, while honouring the acoustic tradition of the strike watch. The fact that Christopher Ward delivers this in direct-to-consumer fashion makes it doubly compelling.

Wearability & Experience

41 mm in diameter and worn on that ultra-light case, the watch offers presence without bulk. The height of ~13 mm and titanium construction ensure comfort across a range of wrists. It’s a watch you can wear daily, not just admire in a vault. And when the hour strikes, you feel as much as you hear the craftsmanship.

Rarity & Collectability

The Bel Canto was originally launched in limited editions (~300 pieces) which sold out very quickly.

The Wyrd edition of the Bel Canto, with its vibrant violet/purple dial, perfectly embodies what the Watch Curators stand for: a blend of mechanical ambition, design clarity and collectible rarity. For collectors looking beyond mainstream icons, this piece offers real depth: a striking complication (not just a dial variant), a bold but wearable material choice, and a story that resonates in today’s independent-driven market.

In short: it’s a serious watch for serious collectors — and with its limited run, the Wyrd edition has the potential to firm up as a reference piece in the modern chiming-watch category.

Key Details

• Model: Bel Canto "Wyrd" Edition

• Reference: C01-41APT2-WYRD

• Case: Grade 5 Titanium, 41mm

• Dial: Purple/Violet hues that transitions inward in a starburst or outward in gradient depending on light and angle

• Movement: Sellita base with own Christopher Ward module

• Power Reserve: 38 hours (approx.)

• Year: 2024

• Limited edition of 100 (sold out)

• Condition: Super Mint condition

• Set: Original outerbox, display box, user manual and warranty card

• Location: Dubai, UAE